HUTTON ON MCLEISH

Alan Hutton has little doubt that Alex McLeish will pull Birmingham City away from trouble in the Barclays Premier League.

Alan Hutton has little doubt that Alex McLeish will pull Birmingham City away from trouble in the Barclays Premier League.

Our January arrival from Glasgow Rangers faces his former manager from both Ibrox and Scotland for the first time in his career as we travel to St Andrews on Saturday.

McLeish was appointed Steve Bruce's successor in November and we don't need reminding of his first game in charge - a smash and grab raid at the Lane and a last-minute winner from Sebastian Larsson that flew into the top corner from 30 yards.

Since then he's managed to keep City's heads above water with gritty performances like last weekend's draw against Arsenal, a vital point after playing most of the game with 10 men. In fact, City have drawn four of their last six, including home and away against the league leaders.

"He’s proved he’s s top manager and I’m sure it will be no different at Birmingham," said Alan, who broke through the Rangers ranks under McLeish.

"He’s knows how to get the best out of his players and get them all to work hard. It’s all about working hard and doing that bit extra for your team-mate.

"When you play like that and everyone is working together you are hard to break down and he’ll have that instilled into them. He’s had a lot of highs in his career and this is a lot different but I’m sure with his ability as a manager that he’ll do well.

"Everyone knows it will be tough but we’ve all put the final to the back our minds and we’re concentrating on playing well on Saturday."